By Claire EamerI don't have a lot of heroes (of any gender), but in the field of science communication, David Attenborough definitely qualifies. For almost 70 years, the British naturalist and broadcaster has been observing, filming, and interpreting the natural world for audiences of all kinds and all ages.That bit -- "all ages" -- is one of the reasons he's my hero. He doesn't talk down to his audience. Nor does he oversimplify. He speaks…

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 by Marie PowellWhen we think of Halloween icons, we often think of screeching black cats, howling ghosts, and withered witches with tall black hats. But there’s nothing as common -- or as spooky -- this time of year as the bare branches of a tree against the grey sky, when the wind howls at the end of the day. Stories of tree spirits and the magical properties of each species abound on the Internet and in…

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by Paula JohansonThe Forest of Reading is a Canadian reading program by the Ontario Library Association -- the largest recreational reading program in Canada. Most participants hear about it through their libraries. Across the country, kids register in the Forest of Reading program to read books nominated for awards and then vote for their favourites.This year, Sci/Why's own L.E. Carmichael has a book nominated for the Yellow Cedar Award! Her book is The Boreal Forest,…

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 Video by Joan Marie GalatAre you thinking of ways to protect your candy after Hallowe'en, later this month? Here is a STEM activity you might consider trying at home. Check out this video by Sci/Why author Joan Marie Galat, on how to use PHYSICS to set up a surprise for sneaky candy thieves.

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 by Paula JohansonThere's so much science being mentioned in the news and social media. But how are we supposed to know the difference between a sensational story and hard facts? A new online course in Science Literacy offered by the University of Alberta is ready to help learners spot sound science—an increasingly relevant skill in today’s world of social media. This course is available at no charge. “The purpose of this course is to teach people…

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 by Margriet RuursThere’s nothing like a pandemic to make people want to be more self-sufficient.First, everyone stocked up on toilet paper and flour. You never knew which shelves would be empty the next time you ventured into a supermarket. It even became difficult to buy new laying hens since, suddenly, everyone wanted chickens. And everyone, it seems, wanted to grow their own food to be on the safe side.Once school was discontinued, my ten year…

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Here's our latest post, and it's a real milestone. Welcome to the FIVE HUNDREDTH post on our science writing blog! This one's a trip down memory lane.Pros and Cons of Studying Elsewhereby Raymond Nakamura Ecology is a science in which place makes a big difference to what you study. During the pandemic, travel is not advised, so I thought I'd share some memories of when I went to Japan to study, as a kind of…

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 by Paula JohansonHow are children and youths to learn about bodies for health and sex education? This topic is a matter of careful thought for many parents. And there are resources to help families with learning the science of anatomy for health and sex education.Some of these resources are formal and written about the science of how this knowledge helps people. The United Nations World Health Organization has an e-book on International technical guidance on…

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 by Yolanda Ridge CRISPR and KIDS When I say my new book is about CRISPR, most people look confused. Going on to explain that CRISPR is a biotechnology used to edit DNA doesn’t help much. Sometimes, people make reference to GMOS—which are not quite the same—but mostly it’s just: The first two chapters of CRISPR: A Powerful Way to Change DNA  aim to clear up this confusion. The first chapter provides an overview on chromosomes,…

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by Margriet RuursGeocaching - A Fun Way to Enjoy the OutdoorsWhat is geocaching?Geocaching can be called a worldwide treasure hunt where you use a GPS to search for hidden objects. It’s a fun and exciting way to enjoy the great outdoors. Geocaching combines the sport of walking with the excitement of discovering treasure. ‘Geo’ means ‘earth’ and ‘cache’ means ‘hidden’ in French.Nico is 10 years old and an avid geocacher. “Geocaching has taught me all…

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